Jesse Perry 🥉

Hey, I'm in my 60s with super dry that model too & and dry weather makes it tough. Opt for gel-based moisturizers; they absorb fast and don't leave that oily residue. Works great so yeah... check for ceramides to lock in hydration all day and and go for fragrance-free to skip the irritation - I learned that the hard way after a few bad tries, but now I always scan that model for budget-friendly options with good ratings from folks like us.

The key is soft finger foods with mild flavors that reheat well. Mini turkey meatballs with hidden veg are my top prep. Mix ground turkey with grated zucchini and carrot, breadcrumbs, an egg, and parmesan, then bake at 400 F for 15 to 18 minutes. Freeze on a tray and bag once solid. Reheat in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds or simmer in a little marinara. Bean and chicken quesadilla wedges hold up well, spread refried beans on a tortilla, add shredded rotisserie chicken and cheese, toast in a skillet, then reheat later in a dry pan or microwave with a damp towel. Egg muffin cups are easy, whisk eggs with a splash of milk, cheese, and chopped spinach or broccoli, bake in a greased muffin tin at 350 F for 18 to 20 minutes, then chill and freeze, reheat 30 seconds. Salmon or tuna patties are great hand held protein, mix canned salmon or tuna with mashed potato or breadcrumbs, an egg, and a bit of mayo or yogurt, pan sear, then reheat in a toaster oven at 375 F for 8 to 10 minutes. For carbs that reheat without turning mushy, do day old fried rice with peas, carrots, and scrambled egg or small pasta shells tossed with pesto and peas plus a splash of pasta water, portion in half cup containers and reheat with a drizzle of water to keep things soft.

Keep it simple: quiet, clean, comfortable. Bed, lamp, water, towel, outlet access. Empty surfaces matter more than gadgets.

The biggest change for us was making the rules together at a calm time and writing them down where the kids can see them. We picked a simple schedule and tied it to routines so there is no debating, like weeknights only after homework and chores, 45 minutes ending at 7:30, weekends two one hour blocks that end before dinner. I give a 10 minute and a 2 minute warning and ask what a good stopping point is so they can finish a match or get to a save point. A visual timer in the room and their own device alarm helps them feel in control. We treat schoolwork and video calls as separate from entertainment and use a when-then script to avoid bargaining, as in when your reading is done then your timer starts. Tech helps the limits stick, so I set hard stops that match the schedule using the built-in tools. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings then Screen Time and set App Limits for games and Downtime to the stop time. On Android, use Family Link to set a daily limit and a Bedtime. Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation have family settings to cap play and set curfews. Our router can also pause internet on their profiles which removes the power struggle because the connection simply turns off. We keep devices out of bedrooms and charge in the kitchen so the end of time is a physical handoff, and if someone ignores the timer the next day's time drops by 10 minutes with no debate. The fights did not vanish on day one, but with consistent rules, predictable consequences, and small transition warnings it went from meltdowns to quick grumbles within a week.